Questions & Answers Regarding
General Plan Amendment 1
1. Who is the applicant for GPA 1?
American Nevada Company (ANC)
GPA 1, as submitted to the town, presents an immediate opportunity
for development of the proposed Mission Peaks project. The land owner
is an affiliate of American Nevada Company. ANC has developed numerous
large scale master planned communities in the southwest United States
over its 34 year history. ANC’s communities have received numerous
awards for their innovative development solutions.
2. What is Mission Peaks?
A thoughtfully planned, highly amenitized master planned community.
2a. What is on the property as it exists today?
The property is approximately 4200 acres of land containing an electric substation, power lines and 2 residences.
2b. What is ANC planning for the project?
- Sense of place that compliments and expands the existing town
- Up to 15,000 homes (including a wide variety of housing types)
- 26 acres of neighborhood commercial
- 118 acres of retail/office/mixed use commercial
- Over 100 acres of parks
- Approximately 40 miles of trails within 200 acres of linear parks
- Over 1000 acres of open space on site
- Approximately 1000 acres of additional open space off-site
- Two elementary schools
- Two middle schools
- One high school
- A satellite police/fire station site
- 3 worship sites
- A water facilities campus which includes a sewer treatment plant
- 2 electrical substations (1 existing, 1 proposed)
Please refer to the proposed land use map.
3. Why does ANC think this is an appropriate area to develop?
Location, Location, Location.
- By adding new amenities and thoughtfully connecting them to the existing town amenities, the entire community (existing as well as proposed) will benefit.
- This location provides desirable proximity to the Sahuarita Rd / I-19 interchange.
- The site is large enough to create a master planned community to the high standards ANC mandates for all its developments.
- The project is situated near industrial and residential development.
4. What is ANC doing about water?
ENHANCING THE AQUIFER.
4a. How would ANC propose to enhance the aquifer?
The aquifer will receive more water than the Mission Peaks project will take out.
4b. How do you add users to the aquifer and at the same time strengthen it?
ANC will extend the CAP line several miles at a cost of several million dollars to a strategically located recharge basin. More water will enter the aquifer for the benefit of others than the proposed Mission Peaks project will use.
4c. Will the project use reclaimed water?
Reclaimed water will be used to irrigate appropriate landscaped areas in the project. Excess reclaimed water will be directed back into the aquifer.
4d. Are there any additional water conservation measures that ANC is willing to commit to?
- Drought tolerant plants
- Drip irrigation
- Low flow fixtures
- Public Education efforts
- Turf restrictions
4e. What water company will serve Mission Peaks?
The project will be served by the Sahuarita Water Company.
5. How will Mission Peaks manage traffic?
Accelerate Sahuarita Rd / I-19 interchange improvements.
5a. What roadway improvements will Mission Peaks provide?
Mission Peaks will be the primary funder of a multi-million dollar expansion of the interchange at Sahuarita Blvd/I-19. Without Mission Peaks, these interchange improvements will not be feasible because no other major funding source has been identified. In addition, the project will build/ improve facilities that are required, including many signals, roadways, and other transportation facilities on-site and off-site.
5b. Is mass transit part of the project?
ANC will work with the transit authority to provide for major transit opportunities within Mission Peaks.
6. What is ANC doing about schools?
Two schools, opened day one.
6a. How can these two schools be built so soon?
ANC has committed to fund/build/open for Sahuarita Unified School District two schools (Elementary and middle school campus) in conjunction with the first homeowner move-in. Additionally, this would help relieve the overcrowding the school district is experiencing at its current Sahuarita facilities.
6b. How many schools are anticipated for this project?
There will be 2 elementary schools (K-5th), 2 middle schools (6th-8th), and 1 high school.
7. How will Mission Peaks address the environment?
Preserve 2000 acres.
7a. Where will the open space be located?
Over 1000 acres will be located on the Mission Peaks project and an additional 1000 acres of highly sensitive lands will be located off-site in an area to be approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
7b. What is this project doing to protect the native plant life?
Large open space corridors will provide for the preservation of native plants. Also, viable native plants will be relocated from development areas and incorporated into more appropriately protected areas within the project.
7c. What is the project doing to protect the wildlife?
Several wide, open space corridors, ranging in width from 50 to 1360 feet, will allow the continued movement of the local wildlife within and through the project. The majority of these open space corridors are along the natural washes.
8. Is the developer going to build parks and trails?
Over 300 acres of parks and trails.
8a. What is included in this 300 acres?
The park and trail system will meet or exceed town’s new stricter standards. There will be over 100 acres of developed parks and approximately 40 miles of trails. It is intended the trails will connect to the parks, schools, churches, commercial areas, and the Town of Sahuarita.
8b. Are these parks open to the public?
The parks will be open to the public. In addition to the neighborhood parks, Mission Peaks will include a large signature park capable of hosting programs and events that will be attractive to all the residents of Sahuarita.
8c. What about bicyclists and pedestrians?
Mission Peaks will have an extensive trail system. There will be approximately 40 miles of trails that bicyclists and pedestrians could benefit from. All major roadways will contain an 8-foot trail and a 12-foot trail that are intended for both pedestrian and bicyclist use. Strategically placed tunnels under the major roadway will allow for pedestrian flow without the need to cross over the major street.
9. Will there be a police and/or fire station?
An approximately 3 acre parcel will be dedicated to the town to house a satellite police and fire station facility.
10. Will sewer service be provided?
An on-site wastewater reclamation facility will be provided as part of Mission Peaks.
11. What is the economic impact/benefits of Mission Peaks?
Development pays for itself.
11a. What economic benefit will the town receive?
It is anticipated that Mission Peaks will generate tens of millions of dollars for the town through various revenue sources, over and above the anticipated costs the town will incur.
12. Why is ANC resubmitting to the town?
Information is key. The town now has substantially more information about our proposed project, including our unprecedented commitments to positively address their earlier concerns about water, traffic, education and the environment. It is our belief that with this new information the town is in a much better position to consider the global merits of our proposed Mission Peaks project.
13. Why is ANC also resubmitting to the county?
We look forward to working closely with the Town of Sahuarita and are confident that our existing mutually rewarding relationship will continue. We are also fortunate to have previously received a staff recommendation from the county to approve our general plan amendment. At this early stage of our proposed project, we believe that it is prudent to continue to keep both opportunities viable.
14. What is the potential schedule for development?
Decades.
14a. When could the first house be occupied?
A few years from now.
14b. When would the last house be built?
Approximately 20 years from commencement, depending on market conditions.
15. Which of ANC's commitments are unprecendented in the area?
- Extension of the CAP water line, and replacing of more water than Mission Peaks uses
- Fund/build/open 2 schools (elementary and middle) in conjunction with the grand opening of Mission Peaks
- Primary funding and acceleration of Sahuarita Rd / I-19 interchange improvements
- Preserving 2,000 acres of open space
- Using reclaimed water to irrigate appropriate landscape areas of the project
DISCLAIMER: This writing expresses the current general intentions of the Developer based on certain conditions and assumptions. Those intentions may change at any time and from time to time without prior notice.
The foregoing statements and proposed land use plan
do not constitute representations or warranties, and no reliance
should be placed thereon. Whether, when and how Mission Peaks will
be developed will be determined by the Developer in its sole and
absolute discretion and will be subject to various governmental approvals.